The 2021 Kia Telluride and 2021 Hyundai Palisade are two three-row SUVs that are dominating the SUV market right now. They’re comfortable, safe, stylish, and affordable. They’re also pretty similar; so how does one decide between them? Let’s break down their Consumer Reports ratings to understand why Consumer Reports rates the Telluride higher. 

The 2021 Kia Telluride’s road test score is almost perfect

Consumer Reports was so impressed with the Telluride that it writes “it vaulted its way nearly to the top of the standings, thanks to its refined driving experience, user-friendly controls, thoughtful features, and vast cargo room.”

The 2021 Kia Telluride gets a 97 for its road-test score, while the 2021 Hyundai Palisade gets a still-pretty-good 88. Consumer Reports tests vehicles at its facility in Colchester, Connecticut. They evaluate things like emergency handling, braking, acceleration, and transmission to get a sense of the entirety of the vehicle. Consumer Reports also considers comfort. It takes into account the ride, noise, and front and rear seat comfort. Storage space also plays a role in the overall road-test score. 

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Kia Telluride a 4/5 for its acceleration and a 5/5 for its transmission. Routine handling is a 3/5 and emergency handling gets a very good 4/5. Braking couldn’t be better in the Telluride; it gets a perfect score. Its headlights are also very good, at a 4/5.

Comfort in the 2021 Kia Telluride is excellent. It gets a fantastic 4/5 for its ride, as well as for noise. Front-seat comfort is very good, at a 4/5. Rear seat comfort gets a fantastic 5/5. However, third-row comfort is only a 1/5.

Interior fit and finish get a very good 4/5. The trunk and cargo space also score a 4/5, with 47.5 cubic feet of storage space.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is also impressive, but not quite as much

Although the 2021 Hyundai Palisade’s scores are very good, they don’t quite live up to the Telluride’s. Consumer Reports calls it “an extremely functional family vehicle.” It gives the 2021 Hyundai Palisade a 4/5 for its acceleration, and a 5/5 for transmission. Routine and emergency handling both get a 3/5. The Hyundai Palisade gets a great – but not perfect – 4/5 for its braking. The Palisade’s headlights score an excellent  4/5.

As far as comfort, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade gets a fantastic 4/5 for its ride, and a 5/5 for noise. Front-seat comfort is very good, at a 4/5. Rear seat comfort gets a fantastic 5/5. Third-row comfort is only a 1/5. Interior fit and finish get a very good 4/5. The trunk and cargo space also score a 4/5, with 47.5 cubic feet of storage space.

The Palisade does get better safety ratings

Both the IIHS and NHTSA have crash-tested the 2021 Kia Telluride. The IIHS gives it all good ratings. The NHTSA gives it five stars for everything except for the overall frontal-crash, overall frontal-crash on the driver side as well as passenger side, and the rollover rating. Each of these gets four stars. 

On the other hand, both the IIHS and NHTSA have also crash-tested the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. As with the Telluride, the IIHS gives it all good ratings. The NHTSA gives the Palisade five stars for everything except for rollover. Both the 2WD and 4WD get four stars. 

It isn’t an easy decision to make between the 2021 Kia Telluride and 2021 Hyundai Palisade. They have such similar scores – and yet the Telluride comes out on top of the ratings. However, if you prioritize safety ratings, you may be more enamored with the Palisade. It’s a matter of deciding what’s the most important criteria for buying your next SUV.